This is a story complete with highs, good deeds ... and the other side of life.

This afternoon, I bought Michael's old mtb

Cute isn't she. Love that blue and purple paint. As you can see, she's an old steel Diamondback. No suspension to go wrong, nor any suspension to ease the bumps but that's cool - I'm after a dirt road, dirt trail explorer rather than a serious mountain beater, and I couldn't afford to buy something with good suspension that's still in good nick. Altus gearing which seems in good nick (except for a sticky changer).

Spotted the problem yet? (hint, look at the picture)

Back to the bike. She rides very nicely, very nicely indeed, far better than the Sow's Ear. Sure, she's been well used, but I've always worked on the principal that bikes become well used for a reason ... they're good to ride.

I'm happy.
A wee bit in love really.
Just what I wanted (as discussed before).

Spotted the problem yet?

Well, here it comes.

I didn't give her much of a test ride at Michael's, just a run around the backyard a few times. It didn't take much to see that things worked nicely (apart from that shifter but hey, he pointed that out). Bearings are smooth and free. Gearing works nicely. Steering felt good and smooth. Nah, she's well used and well maintained. And she's done a couple of impressive trips recently

Now, I don't know mountain bikes. Don't have a clue really. But Michael's about my size (looked a bit shorter if anything) and he likes her, and she felt good under me, so I bought her. Good price too - he's probably still laughing, but that's cool, I paid what she was worth to me.

Got her home. Part of the reason for buying her was so the lad could ride her to school. So he swings a leg over her ... and she's far too big. Top bar right up into the squeaky area.
Hmmm.
Then he says it's taller than the Europa.

Hang on

I sling my leg over her and, for the first time, stand flat footed over her. Sure enough, the top bar touches my groin

Bugger, I've just bought a bike that's too big for me.

So how did I make this mistake?
Well, as I said, I know nothing about mtbs and how their fit works. I'd made a point of eyeballing Michael - he's my size right? Bit shorter maybe? But my size? He's been riding this bike? He's happy? Didn't need to think further did I? Of course I flamin' did.
Then there's the seat - it looks nice and high above the top tube, well to my eye. Of course, I was forgetting that mtbs have a higher centre bracket to what I'm used to, hence the seat will be higher above the top tube won't it. (this is what I referring to with 'spot the problem?' - the seat is high but if the bike fitted, it'd be even higher above the top tube).

Grrrr.

So I've got this bike that feels really nice to ride but which is technically too big, possibly painfully too big. The top tube touches the groin on a hard surface, not major but not the 2" or more that'd be nice.

Arrrrggghhh.

I'd like to make it clear here that this is no reflection on Michael - he rides and enjoys this bike and our relative sizes would suggest it would work for me too. Besides, it's my responsibility and my mistake, definitely my mistake - how on earth did I overlook the first thing you look at?

Anyways, she's a nice bike to ride. I think we're going to have a fine times together, just have to find some firetrails to explore now

Oh, could someone recommend a bottom end computer suitable for mtb work? Rough roads. Rain. Probably dumped in the mud at some point. I can't afford another CS200, and probably not even the fittings so I can use my current one - actually, I'd prefer not to. Just basic distance, time and speed - I can do heart rates if I want the same way I do on the Europa, by dropping my CS200 in my back pocket.

Mate, if you didn't have an issue, I don't think I'm **squeak** going to Be different if I was planning some serious bush bashing. Sure, I'd like to try that but me being of a more mature bent (and dimensions), lets be honest - fire trails are about as mad as I'm likely to get, and fairly nice ones at that.

She rides so nicely, I'd rather keep her. You've done a good job looking after her. Look after the Le Mond like that and you'll be laughing.

Richard

ps anyone want to buy the Sow's Ear? She's a much maligned and modified hybrid for those that don't know her - there used to be a thread about her but some admin who shall remain embarressed managed to misplace some threads and the Sow's Ear thread was one of them

Nah mate, it's poofy purple. Actually, it's rather nice, reminiscent of those cars you see that change colour from blue to purple as they ride past, only in this case, the paint doesn't change colour.

Just did me 12 km test loop on her. She still rides very nicely though harder work than the Black Beast (and not as hard as the Europa) - more effort involved. I'm guessing that's the extra weight because she's smooth enough. The riding position is very good (though a bit too much weight on the hands at this point) - I don't know that I'd want a smaller bike, especially considering all the nonsense the Sow's Ear put me through. Soaks up the road surface nicely - there are some rather rough bits so I got a good comparison. I'm happy with her.

Nah mate, it's poofy purple. Actually, it's rather nice, reminiscent of those cars you see that change colour from blue to purple as they ride past, only in this case, the paint doesn't change colour.

Just did me 12 km test loop on her. She still rides very nicely though harder work than the Black Beast (and not as hard as the Europa) - more effort involved. I'm guessing that's the extra weight because she's smooth enough. The riding position is very good (though a bit too much weight on the hands at this point) - I don't know that I'd want a smaller bike, especially considering all the nonsense the Sow's Ear put me through. Soaks up the road surface nicely - there are some rather rough bits so I got a good comparison. I'm happy with her.

Richard

Ins't the new term "metro-sexual" purple.....

Glad that your happy with her. I found it pretty smooth too, especuially compared to the new LeMond.....I wonder if I can fit some 28mm wide tyres .....

She did look a bit on the large size, but you should be right as long as you don't go too technical, the extra clearance really comes into play when you're out of the saddle in the tight and twisties, steering more with your knees than hands.

Have fun mate, let me know if I can help with anything, I'll have a look in the bits box.